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Saturday, November 7, 2009

TweetAll I can say about Santa Anita Racetrack is a big ole' Wow! The place was absolutely stunning on Friday. I'm sold (well, other than the traffic) and the weather was absolutely gorgeous for the setting for Filly Friday (plus one) for Breeders' Cup weekend 2009. We had fabulous seats (courtesy the NTRA...thank you) at about the 1/8th pole and I spent the day with Kevin from The Aspiring Horseplayer, who like me, was enjoying his first trip ever to the Great Race Place. My first love is Saratoga, but this place would give it a run for its money anyday. The purple and gold were rockin' throughout the Park and regardless of the betting results, there were smiles abound for the 37,000 plus that were on hand. Folks have been critical of the two consecutive years at OSA, but now I have a better appreciation why the powers that be wanted to have it here back to back. We ventured to and fro throughout the Park all day long, enjoying the sights and sounds of horsepeople digging in to the best weekend of the year. I tried to capture the day in pictures as best as I could, but nothing could do justice to enjoying the experience at Santa Anita. Pro Ride or not, the races were competitive and the crowd was into it all day long. The Tweeters Cup was fun (awesome buffet) and we met some nice folks along the way. We saw Ernie doin' his thang in the paddock and enjoyed sharing a few moments with him (Summah Bird baby). We didn't have a winning day (couple winners in the TBA contest in She Be Wild and Midday) but it didn't really matter....enjoying horse racing was the name of the game on Friday (guess that means I gotta get serious Saturday).

Here's a few photos from our glorious day in the sun...

Jimmy the Hat was in the house....dude it was a tad warm for the leather....

EGreat coverage from the Cup. Dirt Mile was a "go figure" race if there ever was one. The Classic was extremely exciting. Zeyatta really lit the place up. But I must say (based a little on my East coast racing bias, respect for Clement and hope for Ramon), that but for Gio Ponti shifting paths down the lane and losing momentum, I sincerely believe he would have won. At 12-1 he was the most overlooked horse of the weekend. Goldlikova was awesome. Conduit sheer class and She Be Wild was ridden perfectly J Lep. Let us know who you like in the Clark.

About Me

Gene Kershner - EquiSpace

A bean counter by trade, writing about horse racing is my passion. Entered the blogosphere in April 2008 and in October 2010 became the racing correspondent for The Buffalo News. In 2012, elected into the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB).